Having everyday gadgets that control our day-to-day activities has now become a norm and even stretched to become a necessity. This is especially true now that people are still stuck to the work-from-home structure that demands dependence on devices. But the idea of having our own clothes behave automatically similar to what other devices is still new or even not implemented enough. But it seems like someone had already come up with an idea of a belt that does not require you to even touch for it to adjust. This is how Belty was born, a self-adjusting smart belt that was definitely created to break the mould in the tech industry.

Introduced first in CES 2015, the belt was a definite show-stealer from the first minute it was presented to the public as it had never been seen before.

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Belty was presented by its manufacturer, Emiota as a “smart belt” prototype that would help track lesser-known fitness and health features. This includes daily changes to one’s waist as they go about their day, exercise and, of course, gorge yourself.

The first model was obviously not perfect as it looked like a “hulking, heavy-looking snake of metal resembling something a superhero might design three or four iterations from the crime-fighting-ready version. Thanks to the built-in motors, the belt was able to slim and expand itself on one’s waist. This might just sound like a facade but you would only imagine how cool it was for those who had a first-hand experience.

The following year’s event then saw a slimmer lighter version introduced to look more like a dress belt that you’d actually spot in a regular fashion store. “Dubbed “Good Vibes”, this new model, unfortunately, did not come with the self-adjusting feature that made the whole concept famous. Instead, it featured a vibration functionality that nags you while you’re sat at your desk all day. It could also interrupt you just to remind you to take some water if it thinks you’re not hydrated enough.

These features can be calibrated through the companion app. But Emiota made sure to clarify that the belt works independently of your phone. With the second model, it’s easy to assume that Emiota wanted the belt to be more of a fitness device like your regular fitness band/smartwatch.

The belt has certainly evolved over the years with the latest models now offering even a power bank that you can use to charge your smartphone with.

But for $395 (KES 43,400), would you even consider getting such a belt?